Fox, Kevin Connolly Share 'Inside Jokes'

E from 'Entourage' (Kevin Connolly) continues to spread his wings.

Variety is reporting that the actor/producer has just scored a pilot order from Fox to produce a skit comedy show entitled 'Inside Jokes' with Merv Griffin Entertainment.

Already in production, the show targets the same prime time spot that Fox's 'In Living Color' ruled for many seasons in the '90s; and with the network's 'Mad TV' no longer on the airwaves, it looks like 'Inside Jokes' -- which is actually a working title -- will be the only game in town.

Will 'Inside Jokes' be the next 'Saturday Night Live'? Not exactly. "We are reinterpreting the genre," says Roy Bank, who also serves as exec producer, along side Connolly and Brunetti. "There's a troupe of actors but it's not as sketchy as a lot of those shows. It's pure comedy, straight jokes. Imagine cutting up a sitcom in a million different pieces. It's like a clip show."E from 'Entourage' (Kevin Connolly) continues to spread his wings.

Variety is reporting that the actor/producer has just scored a pilot order from Fox to produce a skit comedy show entitled 'Inside Jokes' with Merv Griffin Entertainment.

Already in production, the show targets the same prime time spot that Fox's 'In Living Color' ruled for many seasons in the '90s; and with the network's 'Mad TV' no longer on the airwaves, it looks like 'Inside Jokes' -- which is actually a working title -- will be the only game in town.

Will 'Inside Jokes' be the next 'Saturday Night Live'? Not exactly. "We are reinterpreting the genre," says Roy Bank, who also serves as exec producer, along side Connolly and Brunetti. "There's a troupe of actors but it's not as sketchy as a lot of those shows. It's pure comedy, straight jokes. Imagine cutting up a sitcom in a million different pieces. It's like a clip show."

Performers include a slew of relative unknowns, including Carrie Wilta, Lauren Lewis, Jay Phillips, Cameron Bender, Paul Schackman and Mary Scheer. They'll each be part of the biggest project from Griffin Entertainment since he passed away in 2007. "From the day I took over," said Banks, "my one mandate was as simple as could be: if Merv would like it, I'll do it. This is right up his alley, good family entertainment that everyone can get something out of."

Banks also said that deciding to work with Connolly came about very easily. "We were talking to Kevin Connolly, trying to work with him on the producing side," said Banks. "The sensibility that he and I talked about was right in line with the show I was already sitting on."

Griffin Entertainment is also developing a show around fitness guru Harley Pasternak. Connolly, meanwhile, continues to act, starring in the 2010 upcoming release 'Gardener of Eden,' in addition to his Golden Globe nominated role on 'Entourage.'